TOKYO, Japan: TikTok is preparing to expand its e-commerce business into Japan, aiming to launch TikTok Shop in the country within the next few months, the Nikkei newspaper reported over the weekend.

According to the report, the Chinese-owned social media giant will soon begin recruiting local sellers for its platform. The platform enables users to host live streams selling products ranging from sneakers to cosmetics. TikTok did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

TikTok Shop is known for offering discounted products and allowing users to earn commissions on sales generated during live streams. The move into Japan is part of the company's broader push to grow its e-commerce operations outside the United States.

Earlier this month, TikTok expanded its TikTok Shop service into France, Germany, and Italy, strengthening its presence in Europe. The company's international expansion comes amid uncertainty over its future in the U.S., where political tensions have clouded its operations.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal regarding TikTok's future in America could be delayed, even as he hinted at easing the broader trade conflict between Washington and Beijing. The fate of TikTok in the U.S. has remained uncertain following a 2024 law that requires its China-based parent, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations by January 19. The platform is used by nearly half of all Americans.

Trump recently extended the deadline for the divestiture for the second time this month, insisting that a deal to secure TikTok's U.S. presence remains "on the table."

As regulatory scrutiny continues in the U.S., TikTok's push into new international markets like Japan signals its strategy to diversify its user base and revenue streams amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.